Robert Lindley Poet Free verse

When Night Brings Its Stillness, Silence and Tick, Tick, Tick

When Night Brings Its Stillness, Silence And Tick, Tick, Tick

Town was quiet, its heart barely beating
midnight hour came and went so fast
moon and stars blinked through open window
silence echoed in the town's invisible pulse
Strange how life gives night its powers
its more peaceful and murmuring tones
we that too oft wake to its untimely sounds
feel crushing aches in our despairing souls
Clock watching becomes our pride-less new sport
with tick, tick, tick, its rallying calls
and when that strain promises to explode
we pray dawn's falling rays wakes world's all.

We thought not to wake too soon
yet feared we may not wake at all
and tick, tick, tick, rhythm hypnotised us,
we watched no clock, but listened a while,
until it lulled our weary eyes to sleep;
we woke uninvited, but unknowingly compelled,
tones unheard would not have been peaceful
and nights powers made us beg for our lives;
the town purred with morbid contentment,
moon and stars stroked its back,
between midnight and dawn we writhed,
the quiet town passively cursed us.

A Robert J. Lindley and Lawrence Sharp collaboration
3-08-2019

Note: Yet again you honor me by agreeing to compose poetry with this old and far too oft very tired poet. I knew your verses would be golden and continue this piece wonderfully to its conclusion. Thanks for gifting such magnificent verse to this our newest creation..

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Connie Marcum Wong March 12, 2019 at 3:29 AM I was so happy to see this be awarded POTD Lawrence and Robert. A wonderful yet poignant collaboration! Congratulations to you both! : ) xxoo Robert Lindley March 14, 2019 at 5:40 PM Thank you my dear friend. I am truly blessed to be able to write with my great friend Lawrence..

Lawrence Sharp March 10, 2019 at 2:28 PM Congratulations on POTD, my friend; recognition rightfully yours more than mine. Thank you again for another inspiring collaboration. Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:42 AM Congrats back my friend. You know I think your poetry is always fantastic and very clear evidence of a pure and immense poetic talent.. An honor to compose with you!!

Silent One March 10, 2019 at 11:29 AM Great collaboration Robert.. Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:40 AM Thank you my friend. I am now and always have been truly blessed with my writing partners here. I recall composing with you years ago and remember how great that was my friend. As I learn with every poet that I write with.

Winged Warrior March 10, 2019 at 10:52 AM The dynamic duo strike again!...Congrats!!! on POTD!!...love & light...^WW^ Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:38 AM Thank you my friend. I do so appreciate the very kind words given about our writing partnership and this poem.

Charles Messina March 10, 2019 at 6:58 AM Another great collaboration between two very talented poets. Congratulations on your very well deserved POTD Robert and Lawrence. Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:37 AM Thank you my friend. I am indeed very fortunate to have such a brilliant and talented collaborator. One that always increases the quality of the poem that was started.

Nette Onclaud March 9, 2019 at 10:37 PM dear robert and lawrence, a night of quietude well portrayed from your spilled ink...you make beautiful poetry together!...huggs Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:35 AM Thank you my friend. Yes the thoughts that come in the later hours of night are often deep, scary and /or the results of worries we hide in the light of day. The clock ticking, can become louder as the night grows quieter. One may even beg for Dawn's release.

Vladislav Raven March 9, 2019 at 6:26 PM Hi Robert, this is another exceptional poem by Lawrence and yourself. I do love free verse poems for the can be limitless. You have both used the full scope of this form. I love the silence of the night, although many are the times that melancholy thoughts can assail me. Many are the times that I lie awake, just looking into the darkness, just wanting, praying for sleep to take me into its embrace. I love the content of this write. A fave. have a wonderful Sunday. Your friend always....Mike. Robert Lindley March 11, 2019 at 9:32 AM Thank you my friend. I know that I am blessed to have such a wonder writing partner and our collaborations are each a joy to compose.

Anne-Lise Andresen March 9, 2019 at 12:24 PM - I don't think I've read any of Lawrence Sharp's poems ... but, you two together ~ an excellent poem - I often sit up at night (alone in silence) - No "tick, tick, tick" ... but, listening to the night sounds ... and talking to the moon :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 12:36 PM Thank you my friend. My dear friend Lawrence is a truly gifted poet and his poems are living proof of that truth. Talking to the moon, is truly an attribute so very befitting of a poet with a true, deep and romantic heart.

Brandy Nicole March 8, 2019 at 9:58 PM The night holds many moments indeed, some can be scary- when it is silent. However- there is peace when all the world is quiet, even if the clock ticks. Incredible write you two. ~ Brandy Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 11:20 AM Thank you my dear friend. You are truly deeply blessed to be able to hear the quiet of night and the tick, tick , tick of the clock and be at peace, as it sounds out. Such once was a condition I enjoyed. And even now sometimes am blessed to be able to see and also be so very appreciative of!

Andrea Dietrich March 8, 2019 at 1:41 PM As an insomniac, I can really relate to thi one. I don't know who wrote what, but the last four lines are Awesome imagery!! Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 11:13 AM Andrea my dear friend. Thank you for commenting and those last four lines were composed by my brilliant writing partner, Lawrence! His verses always bring greater depths and glow to to our collaborations.

Tom Cunningham March 8, 2019 at 12:13 PM There's something about the dead of night, its peace and stillness. Great collaboration Robert and Lawrence, you write well together. Tom. Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 11:10 AM My dear friend, I thank you so much for your reading and commenting on our newest collaboration. Lawrence is a fantastic writing partner and one that I learn so much from as we continue our collaborations.

Lawrence Sharp March 8, 2019 at 11:31 AM Thanks, Robert, for another collaboration. As always, your pen has led with great dynamism, the inspiration that flows in your writings is always greatly valued, my friend. Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 11:08 AM Lawrence, thank you my dear friend. As always your ink glows to flourish so richly the bounty of the poetic harvest! I so admire your poetic talent and writing style, especially so its truly magnificent depths!

M. L. Kiser March 8, 2019 at 10:45 AM Bravo! An excellent collaboration; I had to "fav" this one. The things that go through our minds late at night can sometimes feel like we're cursed. Then again, at other times my muse just won't let anything else in. Robert Lindley March 9, 2019 at 11:05 AM Thank you my dear friend. Your reply is truly a godsend to me and inspires me to continue my ongoing quest.